Blokhin hits out at Ukraine players

Ukraine boss Oleg Blokhin lashed out at his players following the 4-0 trouncing from Spain in the opening of their World Cup Group H match on Wednesday.

كتب : Hatem Maher

الأربعاء، 14 يونيو 2006 - 20:53
Ukraine boss Oleg Blokhin lashed out at his players following the 4-0 trouncing from Spain in the opening of their World Cup Group H match on Wednesday.

"The players didn't respect the instructions given to them," Blokhin told reporters after the game. "I'm not sad because of the score....I'm sorry for the fans."

Ukraine, who enjoyed a very successful qualifying campaign, showed no aggression as Spain produced the highest score line of the tournament so far.

"It's scandalous to lose 4-0 and at times we were playing like the worst team in Europe," he added.

Meanwhile, Spain's coach Luis Aragones admitted his side was fortunate to take an early lead against the Ukrainians.

"We didn't expect such a good start, but we were lucky to score early goals from two set pieces and that gave us the calmness we needed and created more space so that we could control the game," Aragones said.

Aragones dished out respect to the Tunisian team whom they will face on June 19th.

"We have to take each game at a time and Tunisia are a better footballing side than Ukraine.

"We've got great respect for all our rivals and that goes for Tunisia as well," he said.